Everett F. Bleiler laid
much of the original foundation of the modern analysis and
criticism of fantastic literature with his 1948 publication of
The Checklist of Fantastic Literature: A Bibliography of Fantasy,
Weird and Science Fiction Books Published in The English Language.
He furthered his research with The Guide to the Supernatural
(1983). As
editor of the two-volume Supernatural Fiction Writers:Fantasy and
Horror (1985),
Bleiler added further insight into the field.
At Dover Publications, from 1955 to his retirement in 1977,
he compiled many books, but his particular contribution may be the
rediscovery and republication of significant Victorian works of the
supernatural.
His introductions to many collections and anthologies of horror and
dark fantasy are epitomes
of scholarship and an abiding love for such work. Bleiler's expertise
in and criticism of horror
literature has substantially influenced our definition of what horror
is. He was recognized in 1984
for his service to science fiction with the Pilgrim Award and similarly
acclaimed in the field of
fantasy as a whole by the World Fantasy Convention in 1978
(Professional) and again in 1988 with
a Life Achievement Award. The International Horror Guild is grateful
for this opportunity to
specifically honor Everett F. Bleiler for his many contributions to
horror field -- recognition that is long overdue. A partial bibliography
can
be found at http://
isfdb.tamu.edu/cgi-bin/ae.cgi?Everett_F._Bleiler